1.4.5 leadership Flashcards
leadership (def.)
a relationship through which one person influences the behaviour/actions of other people
what are the different types of leadership styles?
autocratic
democratic
paternalistic
laissez-faire
autocratic leadership characteristics
focus on power is with the manager
one way communication (top - down)
formal systems of command control
centralised decision-making
when does autocratic leadership work best?
when there is a need for quick decision-making
more suitable in small businesses (where owner is the primary decision maker and has complete control over the business)
democratic leadership characteristics
focus on power is more with the group as a whole
employees have greater involvement in decision-making
emphasis on delegation and consultation
leadership functions are shared within the group
when does democratic leadership work best?
more appropriate when the business needs to encourage creativity, innovation and employee engagement
effective in larger firms where decision require input from multiple stakeholders
laissez-faire leadership characteristics
leader has little input to day-to-day decision making
managers/employees have freedom to do what they think is best
conscious decision to delegate power
when does laissez-faire leadership work best?
more appropriate where the staff are very experienced and require minimal supervision
effective where the leader wants to build a culture of interdependence and self-motivation
paternalistic leadership characteristics
leader decides what is best the employees
a softer form of autocratic leadership
when does paternalistic leadership work best?
more appropriate where the staff are inexperienced/uneducated - they require more guidance and support from their leader
can be effective where the leader needs to build a strong sense of loyalty from its employees
